Thoughts on move to transfer water system

Thus far the unnecessary and adjudged unlawful “transfer” of our priceless proprietary, not legislative, asset of the City of Asheville has, I’m told, already cost its citizens about one-half million dollars that the primary sponsor, Representative Moffitt says only: “…is the first step in a very long journey” through appellate courts. The Water Act of 2013 “transfer” was filed by Moffitt, calendared by Speaker of the House Thom Tillis, passed by the majorities in the House, Senate, and not vetoed but left unsigned by the governor.

The initial Sullivan Act prevents the city from charging county water customers more than city residents pay. Sullivan Acts II and III also pertain to and govern the Asheville water system. The recent City Council has not attempted to charge county residents more than those in the city, a possibility Moffitt contends was his principle reason for filing the bill. Transferring the water system to the Metropolitan Sewerage District, “an entity that has never owned or operated a public water supply and delivery system” would be a totally unnecessary disaster that “lacks a rational basis.”